Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02829081 2013-10-01
HOTEL ROOMS
BACKGROUND
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short term basis.
Hotels
typically consist of a single or multiple buildings having multiple rooms in
each
building. Each room includes a bed, a bathroom, and many modern conveniences,
such as a telephone, an alarm clock, a television, a safe, a mini-bar, and
other
amenities.
Common features found in hotel rooms are a telephone, an alarm clock, a
television, a
safe, a mini-bar with snack foods and drinks, and facilities for making tea
and coffee.
Luxury features include bathrobes and slippers, a pillow menu, twin-sink
vanities, and
jacuzzi bathtubs. However, despite these features, if a room is shared with
another
individual, that hotel room can feel crowded, especially if one guest is
trying to sleep
while the other guest is watching television, working, or reading.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the
invention
in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is
not an
extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify
key/critical
elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole
purpose
is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a
prelude to
the more detailed description that is presented later.
Embodiments herein are directed to an improved hotel configuration. The hotel
room
configuration includes two adjacent rooms, one of which forms a T, and the
other of
which forms an L, with the base of the T fitting into the right angle formed
by the L.
Embodiments are directed to reconfiguring an existing hotel having adjacent,
side-by-
side rooms into the T and L configuration. In addition, new construction may
include
such a configuration.
Additional embodiments are directed to a combined television stand and desk
module
that fits into or is used as a footboard of a bed. A television can be mounted
on the
top of this console, and can, in embodiments, rotate to face the desk, the
bed, or other
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parts of the room. The desk is movable away from the console so that it may be
positioned against the console and parallel to the console, so that the
console is used
as a back to the desk, or such that the desk is perpendicular to the console,
wherein
two chairs may be positioned on opposite sides of the desk for eating, for
example.
Additional embodiments are directed to a sleeping area having multiple
different
features for aiding in a guest falling asleep and/or a guest sleeping while
another guest
is awake. These comforts include a cushioned headrest, permitting a guest to
lean
against the head rest while watching a television, for example. A replaceable
linen
may be provided for the back of the headrest. The headrest may include passive
and/or active sound-absorbing materials so as to provide a quieter experience
for a
guest.
In embodiments, the headrest may also include noise-cancelling technologies
and/or
lights that are particularly directed to opposite sides of the bed, so as to
provide
privacy for individuals on opposite sides of the bed.
In additional embodiments, the sleeping area is provided with a control panel
for
controlling sound, lights and individual vents for opposite sides of the bed.
The
control panel may be mounted on the control center, which includes a phone, a
cup
holder, induction charging, chargers, and so forth.
Embodiments are directed to a method a retrofitting a hotel, the hotel
comprising a
pair of structural walls with two rooms defined between the structural walls,
and a
dividing wall separating the two rooms, the method comprising: removing the
dividing wall; and replacing the dividing wall with a structure that separates
the space
into two new rooms and defines separate spaces in each of the two new rooms.
The dividing wall can be a straight wall. In embodiments, the two new rooms
are
shaped like a T and L, respectively. In addition, in embodiments, the
structure is an S
shaped wall.
Embodiments are also directed to a hotel, the hotel having a first structural
wall; a
second structural wall; a space defined between the first and second
structural walls;
and a dividing wall with a structure that separates the space into two rooms
and
defines separate spaces in each of the two rooms. The two rooms can be shaped
like
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an L and a T, respectively. The L-shaped room can include a sitting area at
the lower
portion of the L, and a sleeping portion in the main part of the L.
The hotel in embodiments includes a bed in at least one of the rooms; and a
console at
a foot of the bed, the console comprising a rotating television stand that is
viewable
from the bed and from the separate spaces in the rooms. The desk in
embodiments is
configurable between a first configuration in which the desk extends parallel
to the
console and a second configuration in which the desk is perpendicular to the
console
and can be used as a table so chairs can be positioned on opposite sides of
the desk.
Additional embodiments are directed to a hotel room, including a bed in the
room; a
console at the foot of the bed; a television rotatably mounted on the console;
and a
desk positioned adjacent to the console. In further embodiments, the desk is
configurable between a first configuration that the desk extends parallel to
the console
and a second configuration in which the desk is perpendicular to the console
and can
be used as a table on opposite sides of the desk.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present
invention,
reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a top diagrammatic view representing a prior art room configuration.
Fig. 2 is a top diagrammatic view of the room of Fig. 1 after retrofitting, in
accordance with embodiments.
Fig. 3 is a top diagrammatic view of a right room for the room configuration
of Fig. 2,
with a desk reconfigured to a table configuration in accordance with
embodiments.
Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of a desk and module combination that can be
used
with the room of Fig. 3 in accordance with embodiments.
Fig. 5 is a side perspective view of a sleeping area and a sitting area for
the room of
Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of the sitting area of Fig. 5, with a pull-
out bed
shown exposed.
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Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of a sleeping area incorporating various
embodiments.
Fig. 8 is a side perspective view of a control panel for the sleeping area of
Fig. 7 in
accordance with embodiments.
Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of a control center for the sleeping area of
Fig. 7 in
accordance with embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention
will be
described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details
are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.
However, it
will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may
be
practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may
be
omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
Embodiments herein are directed to an improved hotel configuration. The hotel
room
configuration includes two adjacent rooms, one of which forms a T, and the
other of
which forms an L, with the base of the T fitting into the right angle formed
by the L.
Embodiments are directed to reconfiguring an existing hotel having adjacent,
side-by-
side rooms into the T and L configuration. In addition, new construction may
include
such a configuration.
Additional embodiments are directed to a combined television stand and desk
module
that fits into or is used as a footboard of a bed. A television can be mounted
on the
top of this console, and can, in embodiments, rotate to face the desk, the
bed, or other
parts of the room. The desk is movable away from the console so that it may be
positioned against the console and parallel to the console, so that the
console is used
as a back to the desk, or such that the desk is perpendicular to the console,
wherein
two chairs may be positioned on opposite sides of the desk for eating, for
example.
Additional embodiments are directed to a sleeping area having multiple
different
features for aiding in a guest falling asleep and/or a guest sleeping while
another guest
is awake. These comforts include a cushioned headrest, permitting a guest to
lean
against the head rest while watching a television, for example. A replaceable
linen
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may be provided for the back of the headrest. The headrest may include passive
and/or active sound-absorbing materials so as to provide a quieter experience
for a
guest.
In embodiments, the headrest may also include noise-cancelling technologies
and/or
lights that are particularly directed to opposite sides of the bed, so as to
provide
privacy for individuals on opposite sides of the bed.
In additional embodiments, the sleeping area is provided with a control panel
for
controlling sound, lights and individual vents for opposite sides of the bed.
The
control panel may be mounted on the control center, which includes a phone, a
cup
holder, induction charging, chargers, and so forth.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like
figures
throughout the several views, Fig. 1 shows a prior art room configuration 20.
The
prior art room configuration 20 includes a left room 22 and a right room 24. A
left
supporting wall 26 runs along the left side of the left room 22, and a right
supporting
wall 28 runs along the right side of the right room 24.
[0001] Back-to-back bathrooms 30, 32 are provided for the left room 22 and the
right room 24, respectively. Closets 34, 36 are positioned opposite the
bathrooms,
and lobby areas are formed between the closets and the bathrooms. Doorways 38,
40
are positioned to enter the lobby areas.
In embodiments, the left room 22 and the right room 24 include desks 42, 44,
chairs
46, 48, and beds 50, 52. In the embodiments shown in the drawing, these beds
and
desks are positioned in a conventional way, with the desk and the headboard of
the
bed positioned against the same wall.
In the prior art room configuration 20 shown in Fig. 1, a straight wall 54
extends
between and divides the left and right rooms 22, 24. This straight wall 54 is
typically
not a supporting wall, but instead is provided to structurally divide the two
rooms into
separate spaces.
For the prior art room configuration 20 shown, the bathrooms 30, 32 are
positioned
back-to-back and the closets are positioned at the doorways 38, 40. Alternate
configurations are often used in prior art hotel structures, but generally
include
structural walls defining a large space between which two rooms are defined. A
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single, straight wall, such as the wall 54 shown in FIG. 1, is provided to
divide the
space into two rooms. A problem with this configuration is that the two rooms
that
are formed are generally rectangles. Rectangular rooms provide a very good
structure
for making a room look large, but do not necessarily define separate spaces.
In
addition, a bulk of the room is dead space in the middle of the room, and the
overall
rectangular shape of the room does not lend well to segregation between two
guests,
especially if one is trying to sleep and the other is not.
Fig. 2 is a top view representation of the room configuration 20 of Fig. 1
after a
reconfiguration to a revised room configuration 120. The room configuration
120 in
Fig. 2 is structurally mostly the same as the room configuration 20 in Fig. 1.
To this
end, reference numerals used in Fig. 2 represent like parts to items in Fig.
1, with the
numeral 100 added to the reference numerals in Fig. Ito represent like or
identical
features in Fig. 2. For example, the bathrooms 30, 32 of Fig. 1 are
represented by the
reference numerals 130, 132 in Fig. 2.
In Fig. 2, the straight wall 54 has been removed and replaced with an S-shaped
wall
154. In embodiments, like the straight wall 54, the S-shaped wall 154 is not
structural. In accordance with one embodiment, the prior art room
configuration 20 is
reconfigured by removal of the straight wall 54 and replacement of that
straight wall
with the S-shaped wall 154. In alternate embodiments, a room configuration,
such as
the room configuration 120, may be formed during initial construction of a
hotel
building. In such a configuration, the S-shaped wall 154 may be structural or
not.
The S-shaped wall 154 provides an advantage over the straight wall 54 of the
prior art
room configuration 20. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the two adjacent left and
right rooms
122, 124 have different shapes. The left room 122 is a T shape, with the base
of the T
forming a seating area or living zone. This living zone or seating area is
separate
from a sleeping zone where a bed 150 can be positioned. The right room 124 is
L-
shaped and includes a living or seating zone that is separate from a sleeping
zone.
The living zone is formed in the base of the L.
In embodiments, to take advantage of the L and T shapes, 150, 152 is
positioned at
that end of the rooms 122, 124, with the headboard positioned underneath a
window.
In addition, a special desk and console 156, 158 are positioned at the foot of
the bed
150, 152. The desk and console 156, 158 are described in more detail below.
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The rooms 122, 124 include a second chair 160, 162 or a stool (not shown). In
addition, in accordance with embodiments, a sofa or sofa 164, 166 may be
provided in
each of the seating/living zones of the rooms 122, 124. For example, as shown
in Fig.
2, the sofa 164 is positioned with its back against the base of the T. In
embodiments,
the sofa 164 may include a foldout bed 168, shown in phantom lines, which may
be
used when additional guests are staying in the room 122.
For the right room 124, the sofa 166 is positioned with its back against the
same wall
that the headboard of the bed is positioned. This sofa 166 may also include a
foldout
bed 170. To provide privacy between the bed 152 and the sofa 166/foldout bed
170, a
separator wall 172 can be provided between these areas. The separator wall 172
is
better shown in Fig. 5.
The L and T configurations described above provide separate seating/living
space and
sleeping spaces for a hotel guest or guests. This feature permits two guests
to stay in
the same room, but be separated from one another into different sections of
the room.
To this end, both the T and L shaped rooms define separate areas within the
rooms
that are isolated from a sleeping area. A T shaped room defines three areas,
with one
at each arm of the top of the T, and one at the base. An L defines a main room
area
with a side room area. One of these spaces may be separately furnished and
isolated
from other spaces. For example, one guest may be in the bed, while the others
may be
sitting on the sofa watching TV or working on a project, and these two
individuals sit
in separate "rooms" or areas from one another, and these areas may be
separately
lighted, or sound or pictures (e.g., via a television or computer) may be
confined
within one of the areas and limited to another. In addition, without requiring
additional space over the prior art room configuration 20 shown in Fig. 1, the
room
configuration 122 shown in Fig. 2 provides more comfort and the perception of
more
space.
Configurations other than the L ¨ T configuration described above may be used,
but
in general, a straight wall is replaced with one or more walls that create
separate
spaces in each of the rooms. A jagged tooth wall may be used to define
multiple
spaces in each room. Diagonal, rounded, or other walls can define interesting
spaces.
Generally, a wall dividing the two rooms will result in two rooms that are
roughly the
same size, but in embodiments, one can be larger than the other.
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Details of an embodiment of a desk and console 156 that can be used with the L
and T
rooms 122, 124 in accordance with embodiments are shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The
desk and console 156 includes a desk 186 that can be positioned against a
separate
console 190. In the embodiments shown in the drawing, the console 190 serves a
footboard for one of the beds, such as the bed 150. To this end, the console
190 may
be attached to the end of the bed 150, or may be positioned against the end of
the bed.
The console 190 shown in the drawing includes a drawer 194, a desk light 196,
and a
media hub 198, although different and/or additional features can be provided.
The
media hub 198 may include, for example, sockets for TV and media connectivity,
or
other features. A television 200 is mounted on the top of the console 190. In
embodiments, the television 200 includes a swivel base 202.
In the embodiments shown in the drawing, the desk 186 includes wheels 204
connected to the bottom of legs 206. A table top 208 is positioned on top of
the legs
206. As shown in Fig. 2, the desk 186 may be configured so that it may be fit
partially into the console 190 in a first configuration. In this first
configuration, the
desk 186 extends parallel to the console 190. In this configuration, the desk
186 can
be used as a desktop working surface, for example, for receiving a laptop or
other
computer. A guest may sit in the chair 146 and work at the desk 186 or watch
the
television 200. Power is provided to the media hub 198 for a laptop or other
devices.
In accordance with embodiments, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the desk 186 may be
pulled out from the console, rotated 90 degrees, and positioned against the
console
190 perpendicular to the console. In this manner, both sides of the desk 186
are
exposed, permitting two chairs to be positioned on opposite sides of the desk,
as
shown in Fig. 3. In this configuration, the desk 186 may be used as a dining
table.
The console 190 also provides flexibility and in that a guest may watch the
television
200 in the bed 150 or while in the living zone. For example, for the left room
122, the
television 200 can be rotated to face a guest sitting at the desk 186, lying
on the bed
150, or sitting in the sofa 164. Similarly, the television 200 can be rotated
in the right
room 124 to face a guest at the desk 186, lying on the bed 152, or sitting in
the sofa
166. The position of the television at the center of the room and the ability
of the
television to rotate provides a lot of flexibility in television viewing
options for a
guest.
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Thus, the desk and console 156, 158 provide multiple functions for a hotel
room
guest, including viewing of a television, eating, working at a desk, and other
functions. As described above, if desired, the console 190 may be integrated
into or
positioned adjacent to the foot of the bed. In addition, in embodiments, the
console
190 may be positioned in other places within a room. However, by centrally
locating
the console 190 at the foot of the bed, the television is viewable from most
places in
the room, and the desk 186 can be comfortably used as a table.
In accordance with additional embodiments, as shown in Fig. 7, a unique
sleeping
area 240 can be provided for a hotel room, such as the hotel room 124. The
sleeping
area includes features for enhancing sleep for a guest in a bed 242 and/or for
aiding a
guest to sleep while another guest in the room is not sleeping.
As an example, the bed 242 includes a headboard 244 having a sound-absorbing
cushion 246 built into a headboard. The cushion 246 may include any type of
passive
structure that is capable of absorbing sound, including foam, foam rubber, or
other
suitable materials. In addition, cells or other structures may be provided for
capturing
sound and limiting sound that is transmitted by or transmitted to a guest in
the bed
242.
In addition to being sound absorbing, the cushion 246 may be comfortable so
that a
guest may lean against it while sitting in bed. In such an embodiment, a cover
248
may be provided that is removable and washable, so that the headboard may be
cleaned for different guests.
In accordance with embodiments, the headboard 244 additionally includes
speakers
250 for audio output and/or for providing an active noise-cancelling function.
The
noise-cancelling function may be provided, for example, utilizing active noise
cancellation technology known in the art.
Thus, in accordance with embodiments, the headboard 244 includes both active
and
passive sound absorbing or noise suppression technologies. For passive
technologies,
any acoustic panel may be used, including sound proofing foams or other
structures as
described above. For active noise reduction, opposite sound waves may be
provided
by a chip, microphone and speaker combination, such as is provided by
Silentium,
Ltd. in Rehovot, Israel, or such as is used Bose Corporation noise-cancelling
headphones. In embodiments, the speakers 250 may be controlled separately, so
that
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noise-cancelling may be provided on one side of the bed and not the other. In
this
manner, one guest, on one side of the bed, may utilize noise suppression while
a
second guest on the other side of the bed is reading, watching TV, or working.
To provide control of functions for separate sides of the bed 242, a control
panel 254
may be provided on each side of the bed. The control panel 254, shown in more
detail in Fig. 8, may include buttons or dials 256 and displays 258 for
controlling and
displaying status of, respectively, a number of different functions provided
in the
sleeping area 240. One of these functions may be, for example, the individual
speakers 250 on opposite sides of the headboard 244. Another function may be,
for
example, control of lights 259 that are directed to opposite sides of the bed
242.
These lights may be unidirectional lights, so that they light only one side of
the bed.
In addition, in accordance with embodiments, the control panel 254 may be
provided
with a vent 260, such that a user may individually control a temperature zone
adjacent
to his or her side of the bed. In this manner, one side of the bed may be
cooler than
the other. As an alternative to the vent 260 in the control panel 254, a vent
may be
provided in a different location, such as in the headboard 244. In
embodiments, such
a vent is positioned in the opening for the speakers 250. Thus, this opening
serves to
provide sound and cooling or heating.
A control panel 254 may be used alone, or may be mounted on a control center
270,
as shown in Fig. 7. The control center includes an integrated phone 272. A
glass
holder 274 is provided for avoiding tipping or spilling of a liquid. A soft
surface 276
is provided that may be used for, for example, positioning a phone or other
valuables.
This soft surface 276 may include inductive charging.
A front portion of the control center 270 includes a variety of charging
sockets, which
may be USB, international sockets, or other charging configurations. A radio
or radio
alarm clock may also be provided either in the control panel 254 or in the
control
center 270.
To provide better sleeping, a lower light fixture 280 may be utilized that
extends
suspended from the ceiling in the room and closer to the bed. This lower light
fixture
may provide an artificial skylight mobile and may provide several different
lighting
features including jet lag adjustment (low-light level at night) lighting,
sunset
(slowing dimming) mode, wakeup (slowly brightening) mode, and other modes. In
CA 02829081 2013-10-01
embodiments, the light may dim automatically over time in a sunset sequence so
as to
aid a user in falling to sleep. Similarly, a reverse process may be provided
in a
wakeup sequence where the light goes from off to dimmed lighting and to a
brighter
setting. In addition, in embodiments, a curtain (not shown) may be provided
for
surrounding the bed and capturing and maintaining light projected by the light
fixture 280. This light curtain may provide a separation of the lighted or
dark area for
the bed 282 and other areas of the room.
Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while
the
invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
constructions, certain
illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been
described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention
to limit
the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,
the intention
is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents
falling within
the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the
context of
describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims)
are to be
construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise
indicated herein
or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having,"
"including,"
and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning
"including,
but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be
construed
as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if
there is
something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely
intended to
serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value
falling
within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
All
methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise
indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any
and all
examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended
merely
to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a
limitation on
the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the
specification
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice
of the invention.
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Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the
best mode
known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those
preferred
embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon
reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ
such
variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be
practiced
otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention
includes
all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims
appended
hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-
described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the
invention
unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by
context.
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